riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Hughes County Disaster Risk

Hughes County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hughes County, South Dakota

Hughes County risks remain below national average

Hughes County's composite risk score of 16.48 falls below the national average, earning a Very Low risk designation. The county faces relatively modest exposure to compounded natural disaster threats.

Hughes County ranks below South Dakota state average

At 16.48, Hughes County scores well below South Dakota's state average of 26.84, indicating below-average natural disaster risk for the region. The county experiences less overall hazard pressure than many parts of the state.

Moderate risk within its region

Hughes County's 16.48 score falls between Hamlin County (9.99) and Gregory County (16.16) nearby. The county occupies a middle position within its local risk context, higher than most immediate neighbors.

Wildfire and flood are primary concerns

Wildfire risk (77.00) and flood risk (32.63) are Hughes County's two significant hazard exposures, substantially outpacing tornado risk (26.75) and earthquake risk (15.90). Residents should prioritize protection against these two threats.

Prioritize wildfire and flood coverage

Hughes County homeowners should ensure policies include both wildfire coverage and flood protection, given the county's elevated scores for these hazards. Verify your policy's wildfire and flood riders, and consider supplemental flood insurance if needed.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hughes County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    27th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hughes County

Risk Verdict

Hughes County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 16th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 16th percentile score positions Hughes County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hughes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Hughes County's primary hazard at the 77th percentile nationally. For Hughes County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 33th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Hughes County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the South Dakota county average, Hughes County's composite score runs 10.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Hughes County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hughes County, SD?
Hughes County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Hughes County?
Hughes County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (77th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 77th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Hughes County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Hughes County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hughes County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Hughes County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hughes County's wildfire risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hughes County is at the 33th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Hughes County a safe place to live?
Hughes County's composite risk score of 16th percentile is below the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Custer County

South Dakota

-0.1

Very Low

16th percentile

Gregory County

South Dakota

-0.3

Very Low

16th percentile

Spink County

South Dakota

+1.2

Very Low

18th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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